Installed solar pv capacity in South Africa
South Africa: Installed solar pv capacity was 11.26 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Installed solar pv capacity in South Africa, 2010–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for installed solar pv capacity in South Africa is 11.26, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 16 years on record.
That represents a change of up 24.3% on the previous year and up 732.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, installed solar pv capacity in South Africa peaked at 11.26 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.002, in 2010.
That places South Africa 21st out of 218 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Installed solar pv capacity in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.002 | — |
| 2011 | 0.0057 | +190.3% |
| 2012 | 0.0116 | +102.6% |
| 2013 | 0.2623 | +2168.8% |
| 2014 | 1.16 | +343.7% |
| 2015 | 1.35 | +16.3% |
| 2016 | 1.9 | +40.6% |
| 2017 | 2.21 | +15.9% |
| 2018 | 2.51 | +13.6% |
| 2019 | 2.81 | +12.0% |
| 2020 | 3.71 | +32.1% |
| 2021 | 4.21 | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 5.71 | +35.7% |
| 2023 | 8.01 | +40.3% |
| 2024 | 9.06 | +13.1% |
| 2025 | 11.26 | +24.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 11.26 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.3169, 35.5× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 11.26 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.0453, 248.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Installed solar pv capacity in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +2168.8% | 0.0116 | 0.2623 |
| 2014 | +343.7% | 0.2623 | 1.16 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1.22 | 0.002 | 2.81 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.99 | 3.71 | 11.26 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More energy & mining data for South Africa
- Ores and metals imports 2.5% (2025)
- Gas production 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Gas production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Gas production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is installed solar pv capacity in South Africa?
- Installed solar pv capacity in South Africa was 11.26 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest installed solar pv capacity recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.26 in 2025.
- What is the lowest installed solar pv capacity recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.002 in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for installed solar pv capacity?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is installed solar pv capacity rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 732.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Installed solar pv capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).